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The first thing Sam Haslem did when he moved to Routt County more than 30 years ago was subscribe to the Steamboat Pilot. There, he met the newspaper's former owner and publisher, Charles "Chuck" Leckenby.

On Tuesday night, Haslem was honored with the Leckenby Pioneer Award, which recognizes a Routt County resident who has greatly contributed to the lifestyle or culture of the area. The award began as a way to recognize the Leckenbys' contributions to Routt County.

"Chuck and I didn't always agree on everything, and I'd have to sometimes correct him on things," Haslem said. "But there's an old saying that says if two men always agree, that one isn't necessary. Well, Chuck and I were both necessary."

Haslem said he was humbled to receive the award. Jim Stanko had plenty more to say about Haslem's contributions to Routt County.

"Sam's father was a legend in the cattle industry," Stanko said. "He was a cowboy's cowboy, and now Sam has carried on that tradition."

Haslem, a Hayden resident, said he didn't know he had been nominated for the award by the Hayden Heritage Center, and that he didn't know why his wife, Louise, was bringing him to Steamboat Springs.

"My wife said, 'You've got to go to Steamboat and don't ask any questions.' When you've been married to a nurse as long as I have, you just shut up and don't ask any," he said. "I feel pretty humble about all this."

Haslem was nominated for the award because of his accomplishments with the Routt County Extension Office. He worked to expand the Routt County Fair by bringing water and electricity access to the fairgrounds and by mentoring generations of 4-H youth.

"There isn't a young man or young woman out there that went through the 4-H program and doesn't have a story about how Sam touched their lives," Stanko said. "The Routt County Fair is what it is today because of Sam Haslem."

Haslem's work with developing the sheep industry in Routt County and work with the National Western Stock Show also were mentioned.

The Stanley L. Larson Award, which honors a deceased Routt County resident who made a major contribution to Routt County, recognized Clarence W. Light. Annabeth Light Lockhart accepted the award on behalf of her father.

Light was one of F.M. Light's sons and played a key role in building the downtown Steamboat store into regional franchise.

"My father would have been very proud to have received this award, and he would have been just as humbled because he would have known that he didn't accomplish anything alone," Light Lockhart said. "All I can say is thank you very much."

Stanko said Clarence Light was always very active in Routt County and that he always worked for the enhancement of the Steamboat Springs community through his work on the Steamboat Springs School Board, by serving as a charter member of the Steamboat Springs Lions Club and as a member of the Commercial Club, which is now the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.

The Leckenby/Larson Awards are given out every year by the Tread of Pioneers Museum. The award winners are chosen by a committee that reviews all nominations.